Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report by Capt. Joe Ward

January 11, 2007

INSHORE - Since the opening of trout season on January 1st there has been lots of good reports from both north and south in the river. To the South the bite has been from Bear Point down to Blind Creek and to the North it has been from the North Bridge to the Moorings Flats in Vero Beach. Try a live shrimp fished under a popping cork in 1 to 3 feet of water. The only redfish reported this past week came from up around the Round Island area and they were caught on soft plastic baits that were fished shallow. The catch and release snook action has been good along the lighted docks and around the local bridges. A live shrimp fished around the docks at night has produced a good number of releases. Around the bridges you will want to use a large live shrimp or a pinfish and fish the out going tide. Look for plenty of sheepshead around just about any structure. Try a fiddler crab or a small live shrimp. Along the catwalks of the South Bridge anglers are reporting plenty of sheepshead, sand perch, black drum and a few croakers.

OFFSHORE - The sea conditions have not been that good with the seas running 4 to 6 feet and only the bigger boats are even trying to go out. The reports have been slim -- a few sailfish to the North around the 500 line and scattered dolphin in 120 to 160 feet, I did get reports of a few small wahoo on Monday in that same area. The kingfish are holding in 60 to 90 feet of water and taking live baits. There has been plenty of spanish mackerel, bluefish and jacks along the beaches on the nicer days. Not many boats have been bottom fishing for snapper and grouper. I only had two reports about snapper in 90 foot of water and the biggest one was 7 pounds. I did get an email and picture from Don Cook about a trip he and Jim Patrick took last week. The were trolling a big plug and got a very nice sized wahoo. They were fishing in 150 feet of water just outside of the Eight Mile Reef in Stuart.

TEEN ANGLERS - This Sunday -- January 14th is the monthly inshore fishing tournament for the local chapter of Teen Anglers. They will leave from Jaycee Park at 6:45am and fish until noon. They will receive trophies and fishing gear for their efforts. If you would like to volunteer to take a Teen fishing or would like to join Teen Anglers just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org.

If you would like to report a catch you can call me at 772-201-5770 or e-mail me at cward11605@aol.com. You can also reach me on the web at www.captjoeward.com.

Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe's River Charters